"Thaksin get out, Thaksin get out, Thaksin get out," protesters yelled as they applauded their leaders' speeches attacking Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from an open-air stage near Government House.

About half an hour's drive away at Chatuchak Park, supporters of the embattled premier rallied to offer their backing, shouting "Thaksin fight on, Thaksin fight on, Thaksin fight on."

The two rallies grew bigger as the night wore on. While the number joining the anti-Thaksin rally rose to about 100,000, the number of Thaksin supporters was estimated at about 30,000.

The anti-Thaksin rally, which had moved to Government House last Tuesday, went on late into the night while the pro-Thaksin gathering ended at about midnight.

At one point the anti-Thaksin rally was roused by several minutes of loud applause as the crowd responded to a request from the former director of the Millennium Institute, Wuthipong Piabjariyawat, that they clap as long as possible if they wanted an interim government with a new prime minister approved by His Majesty the King.

Earlier yesterday an enterprising young vendor turned lingerie into a political statement to oust Thaksin from the premiership. People crowded the vendor's stall to see and buy male underpants painted with Thaksin's face. The back of the pants carried Thaksin's face with the word "tyrant" in Thai.

The underwear was sold at Bt50. "I do this for political expression, not business," said the vendor, who said he could be called "Tong".

About 100,000 people joined the protest organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to oust Thaksin over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and human-rights violations.

A group of businessmen led by jewellery trader Preeda Tiasuwan with a caravan of luxury sedans from Silom Road joined the protest. Protesters were randomly picked to take the stage and express their opinion against Thaksin.

Meanwhile, the Caravan of Poor People camped out at Chatuchak Park in Bangkok to wish Thaksin well. "More of us will be coming," Kamta Kanboonjan, who heads a group of poor people, said.

His group would wait for the arrival of all its members, about 30,000, before they moved any further, he said. When asked if the pro-Thaksin demonstrators would confront the anti-Thaksin protesters, Kamta said he would have to consult other leaders first.

"So far it's probable that we may get close to them, but we would rather avoid confrontation," he said.

The demonstrators, who are mostly from the North and Northeast, took turns walking from a co-operative in Pathum Thani to Chatuchak Park, because their pickups and trucks could not carry all of them. To avoid aggravating traffic problems in Bangkok, the demonstrators agreed to leave about 900 tractors in Pathum Thani.

On the stage, several speakers - such as Chalat Worachat - took turns shouting "Thaksin" to the resounding "Fight On" from the audience. This was a far cry from the mood at the PAD rally, where the audience eagerly shouted "Get out" every time the name "Thaksin" was mentioned through loudspeakers.

Lue-cha Pongpramote, a 50-year-old Bangkok resident, said he came to join the pro-Thaksin rally "because I support the premier. He is doing a good job".

He did not care about Thaksin's stock deals.

Thai Rak Thai MP candidate Ladawan Wongsriwong, who chairs a democracy-loving women's group, was seen handing out stickers promoting her group at the pro-Thaksin rally.

Taxi drivers were also a key part of the rally.

More than 100 police officers were on standby to observe the situation at Chatuchak.

Atthasit Thonglor, deputy secretary-general of the Caravan of Poor People, shrugged off criticism that it was inappropriate for the Caravan of Poor People to fly flags carrying symbols of HM the King. "We have done so to call for auspiciousness and peace," Atthasit said, adding that the caravan also held high His Majesty's photos since it started its journey from Ubon Ratchathani.

Atthasit denied that the government paid for his group's movement.

"No, we've just received donations from Thaksin supporters during our trip to Bangkok," he said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee,

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation